Red carpet round-up: Hit and misses at Cannes

As the curtain draws on the 68th Cannes International Film Festival, the fashion parade calls it a day for another year. This year’s red carpet was, for the most part, a sartorial spectacle. Where a few stars brought glamour to the red carpet with ball gowns, bright jewels and ruffling feathers, others, even the most stylish stars, missed the mark. Here’s a round-up of a 10-day event.

BEST DRESSED

Cheryl Cole



The singer rocked pastel power at the premiere of Irrational Man on day-three of the festival. She flaunted her slender figure in a Ralph & Russo Spring 2015 Couture gown. The powder pink ensemble was backless with floral-detailing on the body. Cheryl showed off her toned back in the outfit and, with that bold thigh-high slit, the X Factor judge stole the show. The gown tastefully covered her plunging neckline with floral motifs on sheer lace fabric. Cheryl kept her look minimalist by pairing her gown with nude pumps. She wore sparkling earrings that complemented her look. With her hair sleekly gelled back, matching lip colour, defined bronzer, kohled eyes and her matchless smile, she had a landslide victory on the red carpet.

Cate Blanchett



The Cinderella star opted for a Giles Deacon strapless gown from the Fall 2015 collection at the premiere of Carol on day-five. She elegantly pulled off the intricate dress, which features a structured skirt with surplus fabric on the back. Especially while walking up the stairs, the dark psychedelic print with dramatic ruffles and a sweeping train created a vision worth turning your head for. The gown certainly makes Blanchett one of the best dressed at the festival. With tied hair and nude make-up with a hint of pink on the lips, which accentuated the voluminous blue dress, she kept her look simple and clean. Her diamond ear studs added the missing sparkle to her romantic fairytale dress.

WORST DRESSED

Natalie Portman 



The Academy Award-winning actor wore a gown from Lanvin’s Fall 2015 collection at the premiere of Sicario on day-seven. The loose-fitted green gown was a dull option, which got overpowered by the red carpet’s sparkle. Although the belted waist is a tad dynamic, the overall flatness of the gown failed to impress. Even the plunging neckline didn’t up the ‘oomph’ factor of the ensemble. The naturally-beautiful actor sported black earrings, which didn’t complement the dress, but her side-swept hairdo, bright eyes with fine liner and gorgeous smile, brightened with pink lip colour, definitely saved the day.

Katrina Kaif



As the Bollywood beauty made her Cannes debut this year, she wore an Elie Saab gown From Pre-Fall 2015 collection at Mad Max: Fury Road premiere on day-one. Donning a red-lace gown, she waved the red flag as she paired the number with ruby lips and plum hair. With a red narrow belt on the waist, the gown hugged her figure at the right places, but we’re unimpressed. The shade of taupe with black liner highlighted her eyes and the grave contouring is a saving grace. The hair would’ve looked better if she had opted for a soft blowdry or loose curls rather than middle-parted, straight hair.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th,  2015.

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